HUD Certified Housing Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE:            HUD Certified Housing Counselor  

REPORTS TO:         Manager, Housing Stability Counseling

FLSA STATUS:        Exempt

This document is intended to describe the general duties required for this position.  It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of duties, skills and responsibilities.

About the AHA

Founded in 1991 to address the overwhelming need for affordable housing in Monmouth County, the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) has grown from a small $25,000 grant into a multi million dollar annual operation and powerhouse non-profit. In our decades of service, we've developed over 600 affordable housing units with a strong pipeline fueling future growth. Our passionate team of difference-makers guides residents through every step of the housing journey - from homelessness prevention and rental assistance, to homebuyer education and foreclosure counseling.

At the AHA, we believe that safe, decent and affordable housing is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves to feel secure, comfortable and supported in the place they call home. As a catalyst for change in our community, the AHA strives to uphold this right by providing comprehensive housing services and solutions for all who need it most.

Our Core Values

• Integrity - We demonstrate honesty and unwavering ethical conduct in all of our actions. At the AHA, we build trust through transparency and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards.

• Hope - We meet each person where they are in their unique journey with genuine understanding. By offering tangible assistance, we nurture hope and empower individuals to build their path forward.

• Adaptability - We embrace change as an opportunity to innovate and grow stronger. At the AHA, we respond dynamically to evolving community needs, turning challenges into possibilities for those we serve.

• Community Service - We dedicate ourselves to uplifting others and improving lives through meaningful action. At the AHA, we create positive change by empowering individuals, fostering independence, and building a more vibrant community for all.

Job Summary:

The HUD Certified Housing Counselor provides individualized counseling and education to help clients achieve and maintain housing stability. Working across AHA’s housing counseling programs, the Counselor helps clients understand their rights, options, risks, and available resources; develop realistic action plans; to make informed decisions related to homeownership, rental stability, foreclosure prevention, and other housing and financial needs. Successful candidates will bring meaningful experience in foreclosure prevention and related mortgage counseling, while being prepared to support clients across the range of AHA’s housing counseling services. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:

Client Counseling

• Provide confidential, one-on-one housing counseling in accordance with HUD requirements and National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.

• Counsel clients across AHA’s housing stability programs, including foreclosure prevention, pre- purchase/homebuyer, rental, and financial counseling, based on client and program needs.

• Assess each client’s housing and financial circumstances, including income, expenses, credit, debt, affordability, and barriers to stability, and develop individualized action plans with realistic and sustainable goals.

• Educate clients about their rights, available options, program requirements, risks, and responsibilities so they can make informed housing and financial decisions.

• Connect clients with appropriate AHA programs and community resources when additional assistance is needed.

Foreclosure Prevention

• Counsel homeowners experiencing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure risk on the New Jersey foreclosure process, timelines, loss mitigation options, loan modification terms, and other available alternatives.

• Assist clients with gathering documentation and completing applications or workout packages for mortgage servicers, lenders, and assistance programs.

• Communicate and advocate with lenders, mortgage servicers, state agencies, attorneys, and other relevant partners on behalf of clients, including appropriate follow-up and escalation when needed.

Case Management & Compliance

• Maintain timely and accurate case notes, client documentation, action plans, authorizations, electronic files, follow-up activity, and case closures in AHA’s client management systems.

• Ensure counseling records and activities comply with HUD standards, National Industry Standards, funder and grant requirements, program guidelines, and AHA policies and procedures.

• Conduct timely follow-up with clients and third parties and monitor cases through resolution or appropriate closure.

• Maintain current knowledge of housing counseling programs, lending and loss mitigation options, regulatory requirements, and community resources through continuing education and required training.

Education & Community Engagement

• Facilitate or support workshops and group education for homebuyers, homeowners, tenants, and community members in both virtual and in-person settings.

• Represent AHA at community events, outreach activities, and other opportunities to increase awareness of available housing counseling resources.

• Collaborate with colleagues across AHA and with community partners to provide coordinated, comprehensive support to clients.

Key Qualifications

• Current HUD Housing Counselor Certification required at time of hire.

• Minimum of two years of housing counseling experience with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, including meaningful experience in foreclosure prevention and mortgage default/delinquency counseling.

• Working knowledge of the New Jersey foreclosure process, loss mitigation options, and applicable HUD housing counseling requirements.

• Ability to effectively communicate and advocate with mortgage servicers, lenders, and other parties involved in resolving client housing issues.

• Strong case management and documentation skills, including experience using client management systems or databases.

• Understanding of and ability to adhere to National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.